Organisers behind this year’s BAFTAs have addressed criticism over the absence of late actor Bernard Cribbins in its ‘in memoriam’ tribute section.
The Oldham-born actor, who is most known for his roles in Doctor Who, The Railway Children and the Carry On film series, died on July 27, 2022 at the age of 93. He received an OBE for services to drama in 2011.
The annual film awards ceremony, held by the British Academy, took place on Sunday night (February 19) at London’s Southbank Centre. As part of the event, those from the world of cinema who had died in the past year were remembered in a touching tribute segment.
The ‘in memoriam’ tribute featured the likes of Angela Lansbury, Olivia Newton-John, Robbie Coltrane, Leslie Philipps and William Hurt, but fans watching at home were quick to notice Cribbins was not featured in the montage.
Actress Sally Thomsett tweeted: “I'm absolutely appalled that the fabulous Bernard Cribbins was not mentioned in stars that we've lost within the last year, they should be disgusted with themselves, words fail me.”
Fansite Doctor Who Online wrote: “Never thought we'd have to say this, but shame on @BAFTA for leaving out Bernard Cribbins from their 'In Memoriam' section.
“Bernard was 100% a national treasure, and will NEVER be forgotten by the countless people who loved him and adored his characters!”
Writer Dirk Magg posted: “Bernard Cribbins could have been given a few seconds of airtime in amongst all the self congratulation in last night’s BAFTA Awards. Goodness knows he was a consummate pro who gave generations of audiences decades of joy across audio, television and film.”
Whilst blogger Simon Harris posted: “How the hell did BAFTA NOT mention Bernard Cribbins in the ‘people we’ve lost in the last 12 months’ montage? His work touched every generation of viewer alive today from Carry On movies to Fawlty Towers to The Wombles to Doctor Who to Old Jack’s Boat on CBeebies. Disgraceful.”
Another viewer, Victoria Powell, said: “Was rather astonished to not see Bernard Cribbins being honoured. A national treasure held dear by the majority of the nation! Limited time isn't a justified response, I'm sorry.”
Responding to Victoria’s tweet, the BAFTAs said it wasn’t ‘possible’ to feature all those who passed away in the last year due to limited screen time. However, they said he will now be ‘considered for inclusion’ at the Television Awards, which is set to take place in May.
The BAFTAs commented: “With limited time in our broadcast it isn’t possible to honour all those who have sadly passed away. Bernard features in our online records and given his influential work in TV, he will be considered for inclusion in the next Television Awards broadcast.”
Cribbins, who was also known as the narrator for The Wombles, also enjoyed a successful musical career and managed to garner hit records in the 1960s. In 2018, he released his autobiography ‘Bernard Who?: 75 Years of Doing Just About Everything’.
Sunday night’s BAFTA awards, which were hosted by Richard E. Grant and Alison Hammond, saw All Quiet on the Western Front and The Banshees of Inisherin take home a number of prizes. Austin Butler, Cate Blanchett, Barry Keoghan, and Kerry Condon won the four main acting awards.
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